Fujitsu bombards business users with 10 new devices

Japan’s IT show of the year has just kicked off in Tokyo with a full complement of Japan’s principal computer hardware and software companies exhibiting their latest wares. Coinciding with IT Week, Fujitsu has launched a new range of enhanced desktops, notebooks, and tablets aimed squarely at the enterprise market.

Of principal interest among the new releases is the Futro L420; a machine that is completely devoid of an operating system, a CPU, or even memory. It's not a mistake at the factory, the L420 is actually a solid state "zero-client" device (think thin-client with no locally installed software) that connects via an Ethernet connection to a virtual environment hosted on a remote server.

With boot-up speeds measured in just seconds and no local data storage, they can also offer excellent security and low administrative overhead. The Futro L420 also boasts integrated operations-management software, for centralized security and resource management. It's available in Japan now for JPY 44,800 (US$440).

Fujitsu hasn’t forgotten about thin-client machines, though, producing three new models to cover that niche. These are the Futro ME734 notebook; the smaller (A4-sized) Futro MA574 notebook; and the Futro S720 desktop. All run various combinations of Citrix and VMware software, and optional configurations of flash drive storage. The S720 offers the option of either eLux RP or Windows Embedded Standard 7 operating systems.

Similar in ease of ownership to the zero-client models, these thin-client machines provide the operator with just that little bit extra local content control for when they don't want to (or can't) relinquish control to a completely off-site system. All three models will all be released in Japan in late July. The suggested starting price for the ME734 is JPY 122,100 (US$1,200), the MA574 is JPY 99,500 (US$980) and the S720 is JPY 59,600 (US$586).

Among Fujitsu’s other IT Week offerings is the Arrows Q704/PV business tablet with a built-in palm vein sensor. Set for release in Japan in July this year for JPY 206,300 (US$2,030), the Q704/PV uses Fujitsu's proprietary biometric authentication to secure it physically, and a Clearsure 3G/LTE remote data-deletion solution to secure it in mobile use.

Running Windows 8.1 Pro, it features the latest 4th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, and sports a 12.5-ichn LCD screen. When docked with Fujitsu's optional expansion cradle, the Q704/PV moves into turbo mode (the CPU running at full power) and enables a secondary monitor, keyboard and other peripheral components to be attached.

For its business workstation clients, Fujitsu has likewise added three new models to its Esprimo and Celsius lines. For those who like their desktop computers a little more compact, the Esprimo Q520/J, measuring just 185 x 188 x 54 mm (7.29 x 7.41 x 2.13 in) and weighing only 1.6 kg (3.53 lb), certainly fits that bill.

Loaded with the latest Windows 8.1 Pro OS, coming with a choice of HDD capacity options, along with USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports and all the other standard audio jacks and card slots expected on a modern computer, the Q520/J may be physically diminutive but it matches many larger machines when it comes to features. This model will ship from mid-June for a starting price of JPY 123,900 (US$1,220).

The other two new Esprimo models – the Esprimo D753/G (from JPY 170,900) and the Esprimo D583/G (from JPY 138,000) – are both equipped with the latest 4th-generation Intel Core processors, with the premium D753/G packing Intel Core i7 vPro or Core i5 vPro processors.

Last in line are the Celsius W530 minitower (from JPY 188,400) with the latest Intel Xeon E3-1200v3 processor as a custom option, and the Celsius J530 compact workstation (from JPY 188,400).

All new Esprimo and Celsius models will be made available in Japan from late May to the middle of June.

There's no word from Fujitsu on whether any of these new models will be made available outside of Japan.